Grêmio beat Huachipato 1-0 in Chile in one of the pending matches and has already achieved the first of the objectives: making it to the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. If they defeat Estudiantes (Argentina) next Saturday, they will become the group leader, a position that The Strongest (Bolivia) currently holds.
The victory came thanks to the lone goal from Diego Costa in the 6th minute. The former Atlético de Madrid and Chelsea player headed in a cross from Paraguayan Franco Cristaldo to take the three points in a match played in a torrential downpour.
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One of the great figures of the night was Argentine goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín, responsible with his great saves for keeping a clean sheet. The Venezuelan Yeferson Soteldo and the Brazilian Everton Galdino also stood out, uncontainable for the defenders on the flanks.
All the Brazilian teams classified to the round of 16
The result implies that the seven Brazilian teams that played the Libertadores group stage will be in the round of 16. Pending the definition of Grêmio, there are four that qualified as group leaders (Fluminense, São Paulo, Palmeiras and Atlético Mineiro) and two that passed as runners-up (Flamengo and Botafogo).
The draw held this week at the CONMEBOL headquarters in Luque, Paraguay, determined that there will be a 100% Brazilian clash in the round of 16: Botafogo against Palmeiras. It may not be the only one. If the Tricolor Gaúcho remains in second place, they will face Fluminense, although if they win the group they will play against Peñarol (Uruguay).
For their part, Atlético Mineiro will face their tie against San Lorenzo (Argentina), São Paulo against Nacional (Uruguay) and Flamengo against Bolívar (Bolivia). This round of 16 phase will be played between August 13 and 22, almost a month after the 2024 Copa América is finished.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Watch the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
